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Post 17 - Passaic, NJ

By Eugene Sagasz PNC and Andrew Keybida

A dream to organize a New Jersey Post of the
Ukrainian American Veterans living in Bergen and
PassaicCounties
came true after a general meeting was held at the UkrainianCenter in Passaic on March 10, 1963.

A temporary committee was selected, consisting of: Eugene Sagasz, chairman;
John Andrievich and Michael Nakonechny, members at large. The Committee worked
with Very Rev. Wladimir Bilinsky of St. Nicholas Ukainian Catholic Church and
Very Rev. Theo Forosty of Holy Ascension Ukrainian Orthodox Church, to commence
the task of a membership drive.

On April 7, 1963 a charter meeting of invited veterans was held at the UkrainianCenter together with National Commander
Matthew Pope, Sr. Vice Commander Stephen Shegda, and N.J. Post 6 Cmdr. Walter
Bodnar. Cmdr. Pope outlined the functions of the national organization and
stated that the charter for the new Ukrainian American Veterans (UAV) Post 17
of Passaic, N.J. had been approved at the National Board meeting on March 30,
1963. John Andrievich was elected as the first Post 17 Commander.

Post 17 immediately became an integral part of the active Ukrainian American
community. The Post became a member of the local Ukrainian Congress Committee
of America as well as the UkrainianCenter.

Post 17 contributed generously to the needs of various Ukrainian organizations
and churches, as well as American organizations. Recently, the Post responded
to the request of the Ukrainian National Women's League of America, for aid to
financially-needy students in Brazil.
The Post also established its own Welfare Fund in conjunction with the UAV
National Welfare Fund to assist needy veterans of Post 17.

During its existence, the Post has participated in many local and national functions,
highlighted by: Jubilee of the City of Clifton, June 4, 1964; plaque unveiling
of Taras Shevchenko Park in Passaic, June 7, 1964; unveiling of the Taras
Shevchenko monument in Washington, D.C., June 27, 1964; on Sept. 24, 1978
demonstrated in Passaic to raise awareness about the 1932-33 Famine in Ukraine;
annual proclamations of independence of Ukraine during the months of January
and August at the Clifton, Passaic, and Paterson City Halls; visited veterans
at the V.A. Hospital in West Orange; attended banquets of local Ukrainian
organizations; held annual Memorial services for deceased veterans at local
cemeteries; and donated monies to local charities.

Post 17 maintains its permanent Headquarters at the Ukrainian National Home, 237 Hope Avenue in Passaic.

The experience gained by the many officers of Post 17 was recognized and the
following members were elected officers of the UAV National Board: National
Commander Eugene Sagasz (1966-67), National Commander Michael Wengryn
(1972-73); while Andrew Keybida, Mary Wolkins, Frank Nakonechny, Walter Maik,
Walter Halchak, Andrew Matz and Walter Horrer served in other capacities.

Members are also active in the UAV New
Jersey State Department, with John Andrievich elected
as the first State Commander in 1967.

In 1987, Post 17 purchased a plot at CedarLawnCemetery
and erected a monument, which is dedicated to honor the deceased veterans of
the Post and deceased Ukrainian American servicemen from Bergen
and PassaicCounties.

The dedication ceremony took place May 30, 1987 before a capacity crowd of
members and many local Ukrainian organizations. Clifton Mayor Gloria Kolodziej
was the keynote speaker. The committee appointed to oversee the project
included: Walter Maik, Michael Wengryn, Walter Kupecky, and John Hromyk.

The Ladies Auxiliary of UAV Post 17 was organized on Sept. 24, 1978 with the
assistance of Frances Shegda of Philadelphia Ladies Auxiliary Post. Maria Maik
was elected as the first President of this unit. Several members have served as
National Presidents of the Ladies Auxiliary.

The current Post 17 Commander is Mary Yurcheniuk. For more information on Post
17, contact: